Buffalo Bills: Isaiah McKenzie’s return sets up offense for early field goal

There were some questions this offseason about who would replace Andre Roberts as the team’s returner. The past two years Roberts made the Pro Bowl with the Buffalo Bills but left this offseason to sign with the Houston Texans in free agency.

During the preseason, the battle essentially came down to Isaiah McKenzie and sixth round rookie Marquez Stevenson. The rookie actually had one of the best plays of the preseason when he returned a 78-yard punt for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

The battle remained relatively close but it ultimately went to Isaiah McKenzie after the team placed Stevenson on injured reserve at the start of the season.

It is now McKenzie’s job and he is trying to make it a point that it will be his job even once Stevenson returns. On the opening kickoff of the 2021 season, McKenzie took the ball up the sideline for 75 yards before being tripped up.

This return by McKenzie set the Buffalo Bills offense up in great field position, which was a key for this game. However, Josh Allen and the offense weren’t able to move the ball much and settled for a three and out.

Their first down play was the most productive as they picked up seven yards on a pass completion from Josh Allen to Cole Beasley. The Bills went back to the pass, this time Allen to Diggs behind the line of scrimmage and they lost two yards. The team’s drive ended on an incompletion by Josh Allen that was tipped at the line of scrimmage.

Tyler Bass though was able to end the drive with points as he connected on a 37-yard field goal to give the Buffalo Bills an early 3-0 lead.

Isaiah McKenzie questionable to return for the Buffalo Bills

While the initial kickoff was great to see, it may be the last the Buffalo Bills have Isaiah McKenzie as he left the game and headed to the locker room with a shoulder injury. If McKenzie is not able to return the team may look to Taiwan Jones as the kick returner and Micah Hyde as the punt returner.